JPH0694092B2 - Hoop frame transport and positioning mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention Field of Use of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hoop frame transporting and positioning mechanism.

[Prior art]

Relatively small electronic devices such as IC automate the manufacturing process,
In order to improve the work efficiency, the lead frame is manufactured by using a hoop frame having an elongated shape instead of the conventional lead frame. In the case of IC, it is manufactured through processes such as die bonding, wire bonding, resin mount, dam bar cut, register coat, marking, solder plating on leads, cleaning, etc. Is processed for the hoop frame sent to the above series. That is, the processing equipment in each processing step arranged in series,
The hoop frame pulled out from the roll is continuously passed, and at the stage where the final process is finished, each completed unit electronic device is discharged in a state of being connected in series on the hoop frame. By the way, in the manufacturing line of the electronic device as described above, along with shortening the length of the manufacturing line, the processing steps are brought close to each other in order to improve the work efficiency, and the transfer mechanism of the hoop frame in each of the processing steps, In addition, a method is often adopted in which the positioning mechanism for machining in each of the machining steps is synchronized and interlocked, the hoop frame is simultaneously sent, and the machining in each machining step is simultaneously performed. Usually, the transportation of the hoop frame in each of the above-described processing steps is performed by providing feed holes arranged at regular intervals at the side portions of the hoop frame, and moving projections engaging with the feed holes in the feed direction. Further, the positioning in each processing step is performed by a positioning protrusion that engages with the feed hole with high accuracy. In the manufacturing line in which the feed mechanism and the transport mechanism are synchronously interlocked with each other, it is necessary to perform the positioning in each processing step with high accuracy in order to perform the processing with high accuracy. Therefore, the feed holes provided in the hoop frame are required to have not only the accuracy of the hole diameter of each feed hole but also the pitch accuracy of the feed holes.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, the hoop frame is a thin plate,
In some cases, the feed force of the feed mechanism provided in each processing step causes expansion or bending, or the hoop frame itself expands or contracts due to the influence of heat in the processing step, resulting in a pitch error in the feed hole. Therefore, it is unavoidable that a certain degree of pitch error occurs in the feed hole itself formed in the hoop frame. On the other hand, the hoop frame is conveyed in a straight line on the processing line, and since the positioning means operates in synchronization with each other in each of the above-mentioned processing steps, the hoop frame is provided to the hoop frame between the positioning means of the adjacent processing steps. Tension is generated, or the hoop frame sags at the positioning position, which causes a problem that a predetermined processing portion of the hoop frame cannot be accurately positioned at a predetermined processing position. Further, if the pitch error of the feed hole is piled up, not only positioning cannot be performed with high accuracy in each processing step, but also a large force acts on the hoop frame from the feed projection and the positioning projection provided in each processing step. As a result, the hoop frame may be warped, or the hoop frame may be distorted and stretched. Furthermore, in order to prevent warping and sagging of the hoop frame and improve the positioning accuracy in each processing step, it is necessary to provide a large number of feed claws and the like, which complicates the transportation and positioning mechanism. Is difficult to handle. The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and can accurately position the hoop frame in each processing step without being affected by the pitch error of the hoop frame, and simplifies the structure of the transport and positioning mechanism. It is an object of the present invention to provide a transporting and positioning mechanism for a hoop frame that can be used.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

The present invention takes the following technical means in order to solve the above problems. That is, the invention described in claim 1 of the present application continuously conveys a hoop frame having feed holes arranged at regular intervals in the feed direction on an automatic machining line provided with a plurality of machining steps, and A transporting and positioning mechanism for a hoop frame, which performs positioning in a processing step, wherein the feeding means is provided in each of the processing steps and has a feed projection capable of engaging with the feed hole of the hoop frame, and each of the processing steps. And a positioning means having a positioning projection that engages with the feed hole of the hoop frame and positions the hoop frame, and the feeding operation of the feed means in each of the processing steps, and
While synchronizing the positioning operation of the positioning means in each of the machining steps, a buffer portion having a slack amount substantially corresponding to the cumulative pitch error of the feed holes in at least all the machining steps is provided between the machining steps of the hoop frame. It is characterized in that each is formed. Further, in the invention described in claim 2 of the present application, the positioning means for at least one machining step in each of the machining steps is
A first positioning protrusion having a positioning portion for positioning and engaging with the feed hole and a loose fitting portion integrally formed with the positioning portion with a step and engaging with the feed hole with a predetermined gap; A second positioning protrusion which is provided at a predetermined distance from the positioning protrusion in the feed direction of the hoop frame, and which positions and engages with the feed hole of the hoop frame, and the positioning portion of the first positioning protrusion is the hoop frame. While the second positioning projection is retracted from the feeding hole of the hoop frame while the second positioning projection is engaged with the first positioning state of the positioning means, and the loose fitting portion of the first positioning projection is the hoop frame. The second positioning state of the positioning means in which the second positioning projection engages with the feed hole of the hoop frame while engaging with the feed hole of Characterized in that can be taken in one of the positioning operation in conjunction in Engineering process.

[Operation and effect of the invention]

In the present invention, the feeding means having the feed projections that can be engaged with the feed holes of the hoop frame, and the positioning means having the positioning projections that engage with the feed holes of the hoop frame to perform positioning are provided in each processing step. Is provided in. Further, the feeding operation of the feeding means and the positioning operation of the positioning means in each of the above-mentioned machining steps are synchronized with each other, so that the carrying and the positioning in each of the machining steps are performed simultaneously. In the conventional transfer mechanism and positioning mechanism, the hoop frame in each of the above-described processing steps is transferred in a straight line, and the positioning protrusions in each processing step simultaneously engage with the feed holes, resulting in pitch error of the feed holes. As a result, tension or the like acts and positioning cannot be performed with high accuracy. In addition, pitch errors of the feed holes are gradually accumulated in each processing step, further reducing the positioning accuracy in each processing step. In the present invention, a buffer portion having a slack amount substantially corresponding to the cumulative pitch error of the feed holes in at least all the processing steps is formed between the processing steps of the hoop frame. The pitch error of the hoop frame in each processing step is not so large, and even in the largest case, it is considered to be about the cumulative pitch error in all processing steps. By providing a buffer part having a slack of about the above cumulative pitch error between the processing steps, the buffer part can absorb the pitch error of the feed hole of the hoop frame, and the positioning protrusion in each processing step. However, it becomes possible to engage with the feed hole with high accuracy, and the processing accuracy can be dramatically improved. On the other hand, in the buffer portion provided in each processing step, since the pitch error of the feed hole is absorbed, the pitch error does not accumulate in each processing step,
Unlike the conventional transport mechanism or positioning mechanism, unnecessary force does not act on the hoop frame to cause expansion or warpage. Further, since the warp or the like does not occur, it is not necessary to provide a large number of feed claws or the like for guiding the hoop frame, the transport mechanism and the positioning mechanism are simple, and the handling is very easy. In the invention described in claim 2 of the present application, the buffer portion cannot be provided when the hoop frame cannot be slackened by the buffer portion, or when two-step processing is sequentially performed during each processing step. The present invention relates to a hoop frame transporting and positioning mechanism that can handle cases where it is necessary to perform positioning at two locations that are close to each other. For example, in a semi-fixed resistor hoop frame or the like, there is a step of fitting a substrate into a hoop frame having a protrusion, and in such a hoop frame, the substrate is separated from the protrusion due to the slack of the buffer portion. There is a problem that it will end up. Further, in one processing step, when a plurality of processes are sequentially performed on a portion to be each unit electronic component of the hoop frame, or when a similar process is performed on a very close portion of the hoop frame, In each processing step, it may be necessary to perform positioning at two locations during one positioning operation of the positioning mechanism that is synchronously interlocked. In the above case, the buffer portion according to the invention described in claim 1 cannot be provided between the two positioning portions. On the other hand, in the above-mentioned two positioning portions, positioning is performed by simultaneously engaging the positioning protrusions with the feed holes of the hoop frame.
For the same reason as described above, highly accurate positioning cannot be performed due to the pitch error of the feed holes. In each of the processing steps, the transporting and positioning mechanism according to the invention described in claim 2 of the present application is integrally stepped from the positioning part that positions and engages the feed point, and has a predetermined step in the feed hole. A first positioning protrusion having a loose fitting portion that engages with a gap, and a predetermined distance from the first positioning protrusion in the feed direction of the hoop frame, and is positioned and engaged in the feed hole of the hoop frame. A second positioning protrusion. Both of the positioning protrusions are integrally formed in the processing step and engage with the hoop frame in two steps during one positioning operation in the processing step. That is, while the positioning portion of the first positioning projection engages the feed hole of the hoop frame, the second positioning projection has the first positioning state of the positioning means retracted from the feed hole of the hoop frame, A second positioning state of the positioning means in which the loose fitting portion of the first positioning protrusion engages with the feed hole of the hoop frame, while the second positioning protrusion engages with the feed hole of the hoop frame. The two engaging positions can be taken during one positioning operation that is interlocked in each of the above-described processing steps. According to the first positioning state and the second positioning state, portions of the hoop frame that are separated by a predetermined distance can be interlocked and individually positioned in the one processing step. Moreover, the positioning at the above two locations is
It is not performed at the same time.When one positioning protrusion is performing positioning, the other positioning protrusion is not performing positioning.Therefore, as when two positioning protrusions are engaged at the same time, the hoop frame feed It is not affected by the hole pitch error, and even if the buffer section according to the invention described in claim 1 cannot be provided,
It becomes possible to perform highly accurate positioning.

[Explanation of Examples]

An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3c. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an automatic processing line of an electronic device equipped with a hoop frame carrying and positioning mechanism according to the present invention. As shown in this figure, a hoop frame 2 having feed holes 1 arranged at regular intervals on one side in the feed direction is continuously provided on an automatic processing line provided with a plurality of processing steps 3a, 3b, 3c ... Has been transported. The feeding means 4 of the present embodiment is provided in each of the processing steps 3a, 3b, 3c ... And the feeding arm 6 having the feeding projection 5 engageable with the feeding hole 1 of the hoop frame 2 at the tip thereof.
A feed rod 7 which is connected so as to penetrate the base end portion of each of the feed arms 6 and reciprocally rotates all the feed arms 6 in a synchronous manner and reciprocates in the feed direction; It is generally composed of a driving means (not shown) for driving the driving means 7. When the feed rod 7 is reciprocally rotated by the drive means, the feed projection 5 formed at the tip of the feed arm 6 engages and disengages from the feed hole 1 of the hoop frame 2, while the rod 7 By reciprocating a predetermined distance, the hoop frame 2 can be transported on the processing line. That is, when the feed rod 7 is rotated (the arrow q direction) to engage the feed protrusion 5 with the feed hole 1, and in that state the feed rod 7 is interlocked in the feed direction (the arrow p direction), the hoop frame 2 is moved. Are transported for a predetermined distance. Then, after rotating the feed rod 7 in the opposite direction (direction of arrow r) to release the engagement of the feed projection 5 with the feed hole, the feed rod 7 is moved in the direction opposite to the feed direction (direction of arrow o). , And one feeding operation is completed. On the other hand, the positioning means 8 of the present embodiment uses the processing steps 3a, 3b, 3c.
Is provided on the side of each of the processing devices 9a, 9b, 9c ...
A positioning arm 11 having a positioning projection 10 for positioning and engaging with the feed hole 1 of the hoop frame 2,
The base end of the positioning arm 11 is joined and fixed to the upper part thereof, and a sliding block 12 provided on the side surfaces of the processing devices 9a, 9b, 9c ...
A pressing arm pivotally attached to the lower end of the sliding block 12 to drive the sliding block 12 in the vertical direction.
13 and all the above-mentioned processing steps 3a, 3b, 3c ...
A positioning rod 14 that reciprocally rotates the pressing arms 13 in a, 3b, 3c ... In synchronism, and a driving means (not shown) for driving the positioning rod 14 are generally configured. In the positioning means 8, when the positioning rod 14 is rotated in the positioning direction (arrow s direction) by the driving means, the pressing arm 13 in each processing step is rotated,
Slide each sliding block 12 upward. Then, the positioning projection 10 at the tip of the positioning arm 11 fixed to the upper part of each sliding block is engaged with the feed hole 1 of the hoop frame 2 with high accuracy as guided by each sliding block 12. However, the positioning of each processing step 3a, 3b, 3c ... Of the hoop frame 2 is simultaneously performed in conjunction with each other. In the above-mentioned positioning state, while the processing in each processing step is performed, after the processing is completed and the engagement of the positioning means 8 is released, the feeding means 4 is driven and the hoop frame 2 is conveyed by a predetermined amount. In the conventional transfer and positioning mechanism for the hoop frame, the positioning in each processing step of the automatic processing line cannot be performed with high accuracy due to the pitch error of the feed holes 1 of the hoop frame 2. In order to solve the above problems, the present invention forms the buffer portion 15 having a slack amount substantially corresponding to the cumulative pitch error of the feed hole 1 in at least all the machining steps between the machining steps. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a midway of the carrier table 16 provided between the processing steps is cut out for a predetermined length, and a pair of support rollers are provided on both sides of the cutout portion 17. 18 and 18 are provided and the hoop frame 2 above
The buffer portion 15 is formed by allowing the slack to occur. The pitch error of the hoop frame 2 between each of the processing steps is not so large, and even if it is the largest,
It is considered to be about the cumulative pitch error in all processing steps. By providing the buffer section 15 having a slack of about the above-mentioned accumulated pitch error between the processing steps, the buffer section 15 can absorb the pitch error of the feed hole 1 of the hoop frame 2. As a result, in each processing step, the positioning projection 10 can be engaged with the feed hole 1 with high accuracy, and the processing accuracy can be dramatically improved. On the other hand, since the pitch error of the feed hole 1 is absorbed in the buffer portion 15 provided between the processing steps, the pitch error does not accumulate, and the hoop is different from the conventional transfer mechanism or positioning mechanism. The hoop frame 2 does not stretch, sag, or warp due to an unexpected force acting on the frame 2. Further, since the warp or the like does not occur, it is not necessary to provide a large number of feed claws or the like to guide the hoop frame 2, the transport mechanism and the positioning mechanism are simple, and the handling is very easy. 3a to 3c show a cross section of the main part along the feed hole in the embodiment of the invention described in claim 2 of the present application.
In this figure, the positioning arm 11 in FIG. 2 corresponds to the positioning arm 24. In the present embodiment, the buffer unit according to the invention described in claim 1 is used, for example, when two-step processing is sequentially performed during each processing step.
This is intended to deal with the case where it is necessary to perform positioning at two locations that are close enough to each other so that 15 cannot be provided. That is, in one processing step, when a plurality of processings are sequentially performed on a portion of the hoop frame 2 that is to be each unit electronic component, or when a similar processing is performed on a very close portion of the hoop frame 2, etc. In some cases, it may be necessary to perform two positioning operations during one positioning operation of the positioning mechanism that is synchronized with each other in each machining process.
In this case, it is often impossible to form the buffer portion 15 because the two positioning portions are close to each other. In this embodiment, in at least one of the processing steps of the processing line, a predetermined position is formed in the feed hole 1 which is integrally stepped from the positioning portion 19 which positions and engages the feed hole 1. A first positioning protrusion 21 having a loose fitting portion 20 that engages with a gap, and a feed hole for the hoop frame 2 that is provided at a predetermined distance from the first positioning protrusion 21 in the feeding direction of the hoop frame 2. 1a
There is provided a positioning arm 24 having a second positioning protrusion 23 having a positioning portion 22 for positioning and engaging with the. A working table 25 in the working process is provided in an intermediate portion between the positioning protrusions 21 and 23 of the positioning arm 24, and the hoop frame 2 is positioned before and after the working table 25. Both the positioning protrusions 21 and 23 are formed integrally with the positioning arm and engage with the hoop frame 2 in two steps during one positioning operation in the processing step. That is, as shown in FIG. 3b, the positioning portion 19 of the first positioning protrusion 21 engages with the feed hole 1 of the hoop frame 2, while the second positioning protrusion 23 engages with the feed hole 1 of the hoop frame 2. The first positioning state of the positioning means 8 retracted from 1a and the loose fitting portion 20 of the first positioning projection 21 engages with the feed hole 1 of the hoop frame 2 as shown in FIG. 3c. The positioning portion 22 of the second positioning protrusion 23 is the feed hole 1a of the hoop frame 2.
It is possible to take a two-stage engagement position with the second positioning state of the above-mentioned positioning means 8 which engages with each other during one positioning operation which is interlocked in each of the above-mentioned processing steps. The positioning arm 24 is fixed to the upper portion of the sliding block 12 shown in FIG. 1 in the same manner as the embodiment of the invention described in claim 1, and as the sliding block 12 slides in the vertical direction, The hoop frame 2 can be positioned before and after the processing table 25. If the machining in the machining step requires time, the movement of the positioning rod 14 can be stopped for a predetermined time in the first positioning state and the second positioning state. In this embodiment, the first positioning state and the second positioning state allow the portions of the hoop frame 2 that are separated by a predetermined distance to be continuously and separately positioned in the one processing step. Moreover, the positioning at the above two locations is not performed simultaneously,
When one of the positioning protrusions is performing positioning, the other positioning protrusion is not performing positioning. Therefore, as in the case where two positioning protrusions are engaged at the same time, the pitch error of the feed hole 1 of the hoop frame 2 is reduced. It is not affected, and even if the processed parts are close to each other and therefore the buffer part according to the invention described in claim 1 cannot be provided, highly accurate positioning can be performed. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. In the present embodiment, the feed means 4 and the positioning means 8 provided in each processing step are connected to the feed rod 7 and the positioning rod 14 which are respectively connected to the above, and both the rods are respectively rotated by the drive means. Synchronized by moving in the feed direction, other means,
For example, they can be synchronously linked by electric means. Further, the buffer section 15 of the present embodiment is formed by cutting out the middle of the carrier 16 over a predetermined length and providing a pair of support rollers 18 on both sides of the notch 17, but the middle of the carrier is It can also be formed by recessing or the like. Further, the invention described in claim 2 of the present application is not limited to the case where the buffer portion 15 cannot be provided because the positioning locations are close to each other, and the buffer portion 15 cannot be provided to give the slack to the hoop frame. It can also be accommodated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an automatic processing line of an electronic device equipped with a hoop frame carrying and positioning means according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a hoop frame feed hole of a hoop frame carrying and positioning means according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line, and FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an essential part taken along a feed hole, showing an embodiment of the invention described in claim 2 of the present application. 1 ... Feed hole, 2 ... Hoop frame, 3 ... Machining process, 4 ... Feeding means, 5 ... Feeding projection, 8 ... Positioning means, 10 ... Positioning projection, 15 ... Buffer section, 19 ... …
Positioning part, 20 ...... Free fitting part, 21 ... First positioning protrusion, 23 ... Second positioning protrusion.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A hoop that continuously conveys a hoop frame having feed holes arranged at regular intervals in the feed direction on an automatic machining line provided with a plurality of machining steps and performs positioning in each machining step. A frame transporting and positioning mechanism, which is provided in each of the above-mentioned processing steps and has a feeding means having a feed projection capable of engaging with the feed hole of the hoop frame, and a feeding means of the hoop frame provided in each of the above-mentioned processing steps. And a positioning means having a positioning protrusion that engages with the hole to position the hole, and a feeding operation of the feeding means in each of the processing steps, and
While synchronizing the positioning operation of the positioning means in each of the machining steps, a buffer portion having a slack amount substantially corresponding to the cumulative pitch error of the feed holes in at least all the machining steps is provided between the machining steps of the hoop frame. A transporting and positioning mechanism for the hoop frame, characterized by being formed respectively. 2. A positioning means for at least one machining step in each of the machining steps is integrally stepped from a positioning part for positioning and engaging the feed hole, and has a predetermined gap in the feed hole. A first positioning protrusion having a loose fitting portion to be engaged with the second positioning protrusion, which is provided at a predetermined distance from the first positioning protrusion in the feed direction of the hoop frame, and which is positioned and engaged in the feed hole of the hoop frame. The positioning portion of the first positioning projection engages the feed hole of the hoop frame, while the second positioning projection is retracted from the feed hole of the hoop frame. And the loose fitting portion of the first positioning projection engages with the feed hole of the hoop frame, while the second positioning projection has the hoop frame. 2. The transfer of the hoop frame according to claim 1, wherein the second positioning state of the positioning means that engages with the ram feed hole can be set during one positioning operation that is interlocked in each of the processing steps. And positioning mechanism.